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Chalky.
I know the surname is spelt different however the fact it is made from lignum vitae and is also in the shape of a West African throwing stick leads me to believe in the Ashanti connection. It certainly an unusuall style for a Highland Officer.
Ron.

Hi Ron,

I got a phone call this morning from the curator of the BW Museum. I explained about the stick and she seemed to think that there would have been a BW badge or something else (42nd) to distinguish the stick. I have looked at the style of the BW sticks from that era and can't find any of this style.

The fact that it is made from lignin vitae is of no importance. The wood was very widely exported throughout the Empire and around the world. It was used to make British Police truncheons and belaying pins on Royal Navy ships. The wood has absolutely nothing to connect this walking stick to the West Indies.

The lack of a BW motif may easily be explained, for example if it was presented on his retirement, or maybe he just didn’t want the badge on his stick!

1. Walking canes with round heads were completely the fashion in 1889 and if you Google ‘walking cane 1889’ you will see hundreds of canes with this shape. I don’t know how you think that my cane has any connection to the West Indies or with West Africa.

2. The name on my stick is Bayly, not Bayley. This absolutely kills your theory.

3. The wood of my stick was widely exported and was used for walking canes around the world, as well as for countless other purposes in Britain, such as for police truncheons and naval equipment. The wood does not imply that the stick or its owner had any connection with the West Indies.

There is, to be honest, no point in pushing the idea that the stick belonged to some Colonel Bayley, when it quite obviously was made for Colonel Bayly of the BW.

Chris,
I completly understand your point of view but apart from the name I dont see any connection with the Black Watch.
Bayly of the BW retired in Sept 1888.

In 1889 after the merger of the 1st & 2nd West India Rgts Col Bayley stepped down from active service.

Without any provenance it is impossible to determine who it belonged to.
The views I express here are only my own opinion, you could try posting on the Victorian Wars Forum to get a wider range of views.
Regards Ron.

Chris,
It will be interesting to see what suggestions come up.
There is also Colonel Zachary Stanly Bayly CMG 1841-1916.
He was Commandant-General Cape Colonial Forces from 1882-1892.
This officer has the correct spelling and spent all his service in Africa.
Ron.